"Momo, I think I saw a ring over by that skeleton. Grab if you're checking out the burrows, will you? Aenon says before starting to circle the area to check out the surrounding area.
Embarrassed by his freezing in combat, Deth sheepishly helps looks for more Ankheg eggs.
He tries to count the number of hatched eggs, trying to guess the number of nymph ankhegs there may be out there.
You can estimate between 4-6 creatures have hatched.
The gnome casts Detect Magic on the retrieved ring.
Momo does her best to destroy any remaining(?) eggs with fire. Afterwards, she returns to the group. "What did you find out about the ring, Nox?"
Momo calls out for to come. She picks up the mechanical arachnid and holds it in her arms. The cool metal feels good against her skin after moving around. "Are you all ready to continue exploring the colony? I'm anxious to see where Scuttles will lead us after." Momo holds so that she's looking directly into its red eye, "Would you like that Scuttles?"
Momo suggests that the party swing by the area right before the settlement before finishing the walled-in area of and
Deth helps Momo with the egg destruction. "That sounds like a good idea. I would like to take a look at their farmland also before following 'Scuttles'."
Seven canvas pavilion tents were set up here, all of which are large enough to shelter two to three people each. All but two tents have collapsed due to wind, rain, and lack of maintenance. The two that remain standing lean haphazardly and do not appear to have been entered for a long time. Grass has begun to grow around them. Six of these tents served as temporary shelters for those waiting to have a house built, and one was reserved for work crews constructing the palisade. The tents are salvageable, though one had some small animal nesting in it for a time and reeks of musk. Oddly enough, many of the tents still have common mundane personal items in their folds, such as clothing, mementos, cooking pots, and waterskins. Some of these items are ruined, but much of the mundane gear can be cleaned or repaired.
Treasure:You can find four potions of cure light wounds and a quick runner’s shirt scattered among the tents in different bundles of personal possessions.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This large building is durably built in a log cabin–style construction with a thatched pitched roof and three gables. Its several open windows are uncovered, and the sole entrance on the east side of the building is bereft of a door. A small porch covered by a gable shelters this door, though the porch has not been swept and dirt and dust have started to accumulate, while one end of the gable is starting to sag from neglect.
The interior of this building suggests a modest place of worship—not quite a temple but more than a mere shrine. A table near the center of the west wall appears to serve as an altar, draped in a white but dusty cloth. Behind the table, a large wood carving of a humanoid figure with a stag’s head leans against the wall. Two rows of benches face the altar, although some have been knocked over and two piles of ashes are visible in the aisle between them. Scattered throughout the room are assorted objects related to public worship, such as a chalice and a ceremonial rod. An ornately carved longbow hangs on the wall near the altar, as if on display. Against the north wall is a smaller shrine. Nearby is a wooden statue roughly three feet tall that depicts a male half-human and half-avian creature. One carved wing hangs partially broken from the statue.
You immediately realize that there was a struggle in this area and it was never straightened up afterward. Time has made the tracks on the floor unidentifiable, but...
A smell of rotting flesh lingers near the altar, but there is nothing obvious, even a large bloodstain, that could suggest the source of this smell.
Aenon takes in the sight of the dishelved chapel, but seeing the splatters of blood along the floor makes his heart sink. He takes a knee by the door to have a closer look before softly muttering "Someone was wounded here" More to himself than anyone else. He gets back on his feet and slowly follows the trail of blood towards the altar. "Be prepared, I fear the worst may have happened hear.
Momo puts down and readies her longbow, "Guys, there's a trail of dried blood leading from the altar to the front entrance."
"Also, nobody's been in here for at least a couple weeks. Maybe a month." Momo begins to side step with her bow out. She moves to the side of the building to try to get an angled view of whatever could be behind the altar.
"Well, besides the smell of rotting flesh and dried blood, I really like this building. I get this feeling - like it represents my own beliefs."
Momo would like to examine the ornately carved longbow after the party discovers if there is a dead body behind the alter. "Can any of you detect magic on this bow for me?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
s
Deth snags one of the Cure Light potions from the pavilion tents and then proceeds with the others to the chapel.
He totally misses the blood trail, his eyes drawn to the horned figure dominating the chapel. 'Did they worship some sort of demon?' he wonders.
Aenon's warning puts Deth on edge and he moves around to get a better look at what might be behind the alter.
"Well, besides the smell of rotting flesh and dried blood, I really like this building. I get this feeling - like it represents my own beliefs."
Deth can't help but whirl in disbelief. "What...Just what do you worship?" he asks suspiciously.
Spellcraft on ring
Nox tries to identify the magic on the ring to no avail. "I'm not sure what that ring is. If we have some time, I could sit down and give it a good long look. But now I'm not sure," the gnome admits, as he also takes one of the discovered healing potions.
He examined the bow and once again cast Detect Magic. If it is magical, he tries to find out what it's properties were.
Spellcraft bow
Delia looks around with a sad glance. "These poor people. I think any hopes of a non-violent end to this story has been dashed upon the shore." When Nox identifies the longbow, she lets out a gasp. "That sounds to be a very potent magical item!"
Momo sits on a bench, "Well, my family and I never really followed any particular religion. I wouldn't say we're not spiritual by any means... buuuut, they never really raised me to believe in a particular god or goddess." Momo runs her fingers through her hair, feeling judged. "We've always just respected the hunt and the land. I honestly feel more comfortable in the middle of a forest than a town."
"I can appreciate that, Momo. I've spent as much of my life in the wild lands than I have in a city. My mother was obsessed with searching out Azlanti lore anywhere she could find it or references to it. I am just as happy camping beneath a tree as I am in a cozy bed. Although I am decidedly more comfortable sleeping in a warm, soft bed near a crackling fire in the colder months." She smiles wistfully.
As the conversation reaches Aenon, he seems to slow down. Reaching for something hanging around his neck with a sombre expression, his mind seems to wander to lands far away. After a moment he seems to catch himself, and with a slight shake of his head returns to the church. "I was always taught that what goes on between one and their god is their own damn business." He inserts gruffly, perhaps more so than was called for.
Deth nods as the others reveal their religious affiliations. "My step-father worshiped Ketephys, elven god of the hunt, but I've had no formal training in his religion or that of others." Deth looks closer at the wooden carving after the bow is determined to be a reliquary of Erastil. "Well, I suppose that that could be Erastil." he says. He turns to the statue. "But I have no idea who this is. He then adds. "Nox, what about the chalice and rod. Are they magical?"
As you approach the bow suddenly there is a wailing sound and a skeletal, ghost-like humanoid y appears above the altar. Looks like this
Vanishing a moment later the cry seems to echo still in the trashed church.
Round 1
Delia
Aenon Frightned
Momo Frightned
Nininox
Deth
Silas
Delia feels a terrible fear fill her heart, but she is able to force that fear away. She gathers her courage and begins to sing an ancient tune of a long-forgotten Ulfen hero that was destined to face a linnorm that had been terrorizing his ancestral lands... Her vocals seem to fight against the lingering effect in the church!
Seeing the apparition fills Aenon with a sense of dread that not even Delia's haunting song can soothe. With every being of his body telling him to run, he gives in and shamefully flees the chapel
Momo has never seen this kind of creature before.
Momo's eyes bulge and she drops her weapon. She turns and flees with Aenon, sure to regret it later.
Nox delays to see if the ghostly creature takes an aggressive action next round. If so, he throws one of the 3d6 fireballs at it.
RTA
Damage
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"What the hell is that!" Deth exclaims as he fights down the urge to flee. Not sure what to do against the now unseen apparition he drops his sickle to the floor and readies his staff out while loudly exclaiming. "Oh restless spirit, we know you have been murdered and your sanctum defiled, but we are innocent. Indeed, we wish to avenge this sacrilege."
Round 1
Delia - Gathers her courage and begins to sing an ancient tune of a long-forgotten Ulfen hero that was destined to face a linnorm that had been terrorizing his ancestral lands... Her vocals seem to fight against the lingering effect in the church.
Aenon - Bravely runs out of the church!
Momo - Momo's eyes bulge and she drops her weapon. She turns and flees with Aenon, sure to regret it later.
Silas - a chorus of agitated raps and blows rings out from nearby hard surfaces, particularly the altar.
Nininox -
Deth -
Nox notices nothing was attacking the group, so he decide to try and talk to the spirit in he Azlanti tongue. "Pleasure to meet you. I'm Nox. Can we help you? We don't mean to fight."
Not really understanding what Nox is saying. Deth approaches the altar where the knocks are coming from. "Is there something in the altar you wish us to find? We have no intention of defiling this wonderful church any longer. But we need to know what happened here to protect others. Many of whom share your faith."
There is no response to the ancient tongue.
You remove the dusty white cloth covering the altar, it becomes evident that it is not a table on four legs but is constructed more like a large box with religious carvings on the front face. Deth doesn't find any means of opening it though.
Puzzled by the altar, Deth calls out, hopefully loud enough that even his friends who have left can hear. "Spirit, I see that your altar is a large box, with no apparent means of opening it. Please help us and we will avenge you."
Another loud series of rapping and tappings leaves you chilled and disturbed. The alter violently rocks back and forth, a panel on the back cracks open, letting loose the strong smell of a rotting corpse fills the dusty air.
'Please don't let there be a body in there' Deth silently prays as he uses his quarterstaff to pry the panel open. He then slowly peers inside, fighting down his urge to flee this spooky place and leave the spirit to its own devices.
The gnome was still fighting with himself, but he stood his ground, wanting to support the human in case another undead came and started haranguing him. "What do you see in there, boy? No one said there'd be this much undead," he whispers.
Within the confines of the altar lie the remains of a human man. Dressed as a simple farmer, his shirt has old bloodstains on it.
Deth suddenly straightens up and says to Nox. "There's a dead body in there." He takes the altar cloth and lies it on the floor behind the altar. As he does he speaks to the spirit. "I'm sorry this happened to you. I am going to take your body and respectfully bury it. I take my obligations and debts seriously so know this. He pauses a second to collect his thoughts before declaring the following oath. "I, Deth Tobrin, will attempt to avenge this poor soul." He pulls the body as gently as he can onto the cloth and uses it as a makeshift travois to pull it outside. He asks Nox. "Do you think you could grab my sickle. I dropped it over there." Once he and the body get outside, he looks around for the others and a nice place to bury the body. "I don't suppose anyone has a shovel or spade." he asks.
For once, Nox quietly obeyed. He went and gathered the sickle and followed Deth. "Should we pick a place to start a graveyard? You know that there will be others who need to be put to rest before all this is over."
Seeing Deth and Nox calmly leave the chapel, some semblance of peace returns to Aenon. Not very eager to talk to either of them after his less than valiant, he silently falls inn behind them.
"Thanks Nox" Deth says as he stops pulling the body just outside the chapel entrance. He rehangs the sickle on his belt and then looks around for a proper place to bury the body.
"Should we pick a place to start a graveyard? You know that there will be others who need to be put to rest before all this is over."
"I hope we're only burying one body today. What do you think about that hill over there overlooking the sea. I promised the spirit I would bury his body and I think he is a farmer and he can see his fields from there also. Aenon, you wouldn't happen to have a shovel would you?" Deth asks.
"I think that hill is an excellent choice Deth, I'll go find a shovel right away" Aenon replies solemnly and heads off towards the tool-shed. Glad for some time to himself, he spends some time contemplating both the possibility that the colonists may be dead, and his failings in the most recent battle. After some time (unless interupted) Aenon returns with a couple of shovels, still looking a bit down.
Deth gladly accepts the additional shovel and enlists Aenon's help in carrying the body to the top of the hill. Once he and Aenon have dug the grave, he says a few words in Sylvan committing the man's spirit to The Green, lays an acorn on top of the body and then proceeds to cover him up. As they dig he talks. "You know, I don't think this man was killed by bugs. He was stabbed several times."
Momo sheepishly returns to the party. She'd been so amazing up until the poltergeist. "Err, come here. I'm going to put you in my backpack to keep you safe. Momo carefully lifts up the mechanical arachnid and places it at the top of the bag before securing the top.
She bends down to pick up the bow she dropped, "Err.. great work guys."
"You know, I don't think this man was killed by bugs. He was stabbed several times."
Momo's brows knit together while she considers this new information. Then, Momo offers to go with Aenon to get the shovel: "Aenon, do you need some company or do you think you'll be okay at the Before leaving with Aenon , Momo retrieves the bow from behind the altar.
Normally not one to accept help, at least not from a recent acquaintance, Aenon stands pondering for a minute before giving Momo a weak smile. "I think I could use a hand searching the shed" He says as he slowly starts walking, eyes glued to the ground.
After the party is out of earshot, Aenon finally speaks up "I had hoped I'd at least get to prove my usefulness before screwing up like this." He laughs weakly before turning his eyes back down.
"Well, makes me wonder if someone or something might have done this to all the missing settlers? It'd be grisly, but it could explain how a whole village is gone missing."
14 starts ticking off a list on his fingers. "First, I think we need to go back and check out the chapel. No telling what we missed from there. Second, we need to get rid of that swarm. Then third, I think we need to start making for our meet up point, so we can get the others here and off that boat. I'm sure they would like to stretch their legs as well."
Deth is not adverse to someone taking care of the swarm while he digs the grave. He does have one word of advice for any that try. "Get a barrel of tar, while at the tool shed. It may have to be heated to be used like this, but if possible put a line of tar that the bugs will get stuck in outside the threshold. You can attack with a torch behind the line of tar. I was planning on suggesting this as it got closer to night, since I don't see the cockroaches coming out into the light, but you're right. Might as well take care of it while digging."
With the solid plan and swarmsuit you make quick work of the bugs. After the solemn ceremony and quiet words of respect, the first burial takes place on Talmandor's Bounty.
14 goes back inside, no sporit harasses the gnome as he looks through the damaged articles. He examines the piles of ashes, both can be determined to have been books. The leather cover of one of the books is still intact and bears the title Parables of Erastil.
The other book’s cover is burned beyond recognition, though enough of the text remains that thumbing through you may be able to identify it.
The bow remains above the altar and is a simple matter to retrieve.
The silver chalice, rod, and other religious articles are worth about 300 gp if taken.
Treasure: Once the swarm has been cleared out and you conduct a thorough search of the shelves , you discover that some of the barrels and containers have remained sealed. An examination of the untouched barrels and containers observe a sort of paste has been liberally applied to the outside. is required to identify this as mash of bay leaves, garlic, and catnip, all of which are natural pest repellents. Inside these containers are unspoiled preserved foodstuffs, which serve the passengers of the Peregrine well. You also located a teakwood box that is approximately 12 inches by 2-1/2 inches by 1-1/2 inches. The box itself is worth 30 gp and contains a wand of goodberry.
The wand was donated to the expedition, but upon arrival, it was determined no one could reliably activate it. It was stored here in the hope that someone aboard the next ship could make use of the item.
"Well, makes me wonder if someone or something might have done this to allthe missing settlers? It'd be grisly, but it could explain how a whole village is gone missing."
14 starts ticking off a list on his fingers. "First, I think we need to go back and check out the chapel. No telling what we missed from there. Second, we need to get rid of that swarm. Then third, I think we need to start making for our meet up point, so we can get the others here and off that boat. I'm sure they would like to stretch their legs as well."
Deth replies to Nox's suggestion of heading back to the boat.
I think we really need to stay at least one night here before going back to the Peregrine. Just to make sure that nothing happens at night. Also we have the mystery of 'Scuttles' to figure out. And, my master used to use birds to send me messages all the time. I thought it would be easy. But.... I've been trying, it seems to be beyond me." he admits. He asks Nox. "Do you have any way of magically communicating with them?""And since we're burying bodies, we might as well bury the skeleton up north of the settlement. If one of you will go fetch it, I'll start digging the grave." He walks over about 5 feet to the south and starts shoveling dirt.
Know. History
Nox casts Detect Magic on the bow and the books. If the bow is nonmagical, he leaves it, as it likely part of a holy display. He also leaves the chalice and the other items, not wanting to anger any other restless spirits.
He walks outside with ed remnants of the books. "Well, one copy is Erastil's holy text. Counting all the items we've found with his focus, I'd assume this chapel was dedicated to him, and whoever took them wasn't a fan. This other book is interesting."
The bow remains above the altar and is a simple matter to retrieve.
Momo retrieves the so she can use it in battle. She will keep her old longbow in case the villagers get upset that she's using the golden(?) one.
Thinking the remaining items may be used upon the colonists' return, Momo does not remove them. Although, Momo doesn't care if her party members take them.
Momo confidently identifies the paste as a mixture of mashed bay leaves, garlic, and catnip. "These are all natural pest repellents," she confirms. Momo looks over at Nox and Delia: "Perhaps one of you should hold on to the wand ."
"I'm excited to take a look at those fields but perhaps we should finish our business inside the walls first," Momo rubs her hands together. "Perhaps the last building is a clinic or a tailoring shop."